The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-03-21
A RAGING TORRENT.
MILES LANDS COVERED
i'y Water In tho Upper Missouri Country,
a Number OF People Rescued From
House and Tree Tops-Ths sudden.
ness OF tho Flood-FllCht Tor Life.

| OhlcAao, March 20.--The Iims Bpe.
cial from Bismarck, Dak., says: The Mis-.
souri, river 10 still on tho rampage. The
Buffalo rise reached this place to-day, and
the water is flowing over the prairie at &
greater depth and more terrific speed than
ever. Tho stream has risen loot here
to-day, which rise Is equal to rise Of over
twenty feet In the upper river, as the
water Is spread out over a stretch Of coun.
Try ak miles wide. The fearful blizzard
Of yesterday abated last evening and left
over ak inches Of .anow throughout the
northwest. This: will add to the food,
and as the sun has come out warm to-day,
the tributaries Of the Missouri arc already
growing from the melting snow.
The rescuing parties that made the
wonderful journey into the low lands yes.
terday, and saved the lives Of six men and
one woman who were perched upon The
tops Of houses and in the trees, are the
heroes Of the day. A telegram from Fort
Lincoln yesterday, announced that people
could be seen from that point standing on
hay attacks and in trees, and that unless
they, we're rescued they would perish in
the Hood. It ID believed that the peoplo
rescued arc the ones referred to the Lin.
coin dispatch, although many claim that
the country directly opposite the Fort is
settled, and numerous Inhabitants OF the
flooded district are still in danger, II not
swept away.
on Tor or HOUSES AND TREE TOPS.
A report also comes from the north to
the effect that at Painted Woods the set
tiers have been in the trees and on hay
attacks for two days, and relief parties have
been sent to that point. The report that
Superintendent Graham OF the Northern
Pacific road had been drowned has been
denied, and 1t is learned that the rumor
grew out Of his attempt to come to Bis
marck Friday evening. The gorge at Sib-
ley Island remains firm and all efforts TO
remove it are vain. II the present state
OF affairs should remain week the Mis-.
sourl would have q permanent channel
cut across the country at least two miles
east, Of It's old course. The ice is flowing
freely to-day and is being lodged in blocks
Of from rod to quarter OF mile in
length in the farm and meadow land OF
the settlers. The Northern Pacific trestIe
has not been repaired, and 1t is impossible
Tor the company to work upon the struc-
ture on account Of the floating ice.
CHASED BY THE FLOOD.
So rapidly did the flood rise at Painted
Woods that two families. including, five
children, started to pack their household
goods preparatory to moving back from
the stream yesterday morning. Their
houses were located on the low land, and
before they got ready to start, the water
was within six feet OF the houses.
They then started but we're com
PEELED to 60 through low land
a quarter Of mile before they could
reach the bluffs, their house being on the
highest spot in the locality. No sooner
did tue water reach that height than it
swept down into the lowland and for over
quarter Of mile the horror.atrickeu
people were pursued by the rushing
waters. Before they reached the hiph
land they were overtaken and for the laat
four rods were compelled to wade through
three teet OF water, one OF the children
being carried long distance.
Another train load OF passengers arrived
from the East to-day and will be compell-
ed to remain here until it ia possible to
cross the Missouri. As the ice is floating
freely it Is believed that the river will bs
Tree OF ice tomorrow and the Northern
Pacific will establish o transfer line Of
boats.